Upholstery leather labelling code approved by ICT

The objective of the Code is to give an authoritative, published guide to the correct designation and labelling of leather in order to clarify and formalise descriptions that are deemed to be correct.

The Code follows well established practice on the clear definition of leather, as set out in the International Glossary of Leather Terms, published by ICT and also enshrined in national and international standards as well as in some national legislation. In addition it follows the principles of leather product labelling that are established in the EU Footwear Labelling Directive, which is considered to set an excellent precedent for determining whether an article can correctly be described as made from leather. 

Assist product manufacturers

The code is intended to assist product manufacturers, including car manufacturers, to describe and market their products accurately. Leather is seen as an important selling point in furniture and cars, and leather producers consider it vital that customers are not disappointed or misled by descriptions of products claimed to be made from leather. The code is therefore also aimed at protecting the interests of consumers by ensuring that the products they purchase are labelled correctly, with the result that they are receiving what they expect to receive. Finally the code has the objective of helping the leather industry and protecting the image of leather by ensuring that other materials are not mistakenly identified as leather, and by promoting a better understanding of what is and is not leather.

ICT is co-operating with other stakeholders in the supply chain to promote the code and is also collaborating with Cotance, the European Tanners Association, with the aim of developing the code into a fully fledged European standard.

For further information contact: Paul Pearson, secretary, ICT. Tel: + 44 1604 679917. Email: sec@tannerscouncilict.org